How to Feel More Comfortable about Sin

I. Introduction: The word “sin,” of course, has a bad connotation around members of the church and even in the world. No one likes to have their actions called sins. Naturally, to commit an action and have it called sin will make us feel uncomfortable. Here are some ways people make themselves feel more comfortable about sin.

II. Emphasize other people’s sins, minimize your own sins.

A. Jesus illustrated this in a parable: Luke 18:9-14.

B. The tax collector clearly had a negative view of his sin which is evidenced by his humility when approaching God.

C. He considered himself a sinner and even verbally acknowledged it. He would not even look up to God when asking God for mercy.

D. The Pharisee knew that he needed to compare his life with those who were considered inferior and known in the world as sinners.

E. He was even thankful to God that he was not like those terrible sins. He was also quick to point out all that he did for God and could even look God in the eye, so to speak, and declare his righteousness.

F. Matthew 7:1-5

G. Humorous example of one who ignores his own sins while focusing on the sins of others. The passage does not prohibit judging, but the judgment should be fair.

III. Let your mind dwell on evil things as long as you do not practice them.

A. Some are rightly worried that if the do certain things, they will be lost.

B. However, these same people might let their minds wander and imagine sinful thoughts but think that they are safe since it is only in the mind.

C. Colossians 3:1-2

D. Paul would have us seek the things that are above and not on worldly things. If we seek the things above, we will not allow evil thoughts to remain in our minds to develop and grow.

E. Matthew 15:11, 15-20

F. Jesus clearly teaches that evil inside our hearts defiles us. The sins that we commit come from things planted in our hearts. Note that all of these actions are prompted by lust, covetousness, hatred, envy, and ungodliness in our hearts.

IV. Play as close as you can to the “big” sins without committing them.

A. Matthew 5:21-22; 27-28

B. Clearly murder and adultery are condemned. The Jews recognized that.

C. Jesus taught that before the “big” sins were committed, many little sins preceded them. There are no “big” and “little” sins. All sin is unrighteousness. Sin is deceptive. When you think you are close to the edge, you are actually already into sin.

D. James 1:12-16

E. James teaches about the progression of sin towards death. Most people do not jump into the deep end, they step into the shallow end and go until they are completely immersed.

V. Laugh at sinful things

A. Mockery and laughing help make sin not seem so serious.

B. This is the magic of TV and movies.

C. Cursing doesn’t seem so bad when a cute kid does it. In fact, it usually generates a good laugh.

D. Homosexuality is much easier to deal with when you can laugh at the behavior and laugh at those who condemn it.

E. Romans 1:22-28, 32 – Paul, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit clearly condemns this behavior and calls it unnatural.

F. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – Paul taught that those who practice such things cannot enter the kingdom of God unless the repent as some of the Corinthians did.

G. Note: There is an ongoing debate as to whether homosexuals “can” repent. God clearly teaches that a homosexual can repent and change. The Corinthians are examples of the change.

H. Programs such as Spin City and the now defunct Ellen condone and encourage the homosexual lifestyle as being acceptable with their main characters. This is a way to feel more comfortable about it.

I. Adultery and premarital sex is always cause for a good laugh on TV and movies.

J. One can find himself wanting the main character to have an affair or premarital sex with one of the other characters. We would not endorse this normally but we excuse it in prime time. We can even watch couples being intimate on TV, something we don’t do in real life. But hey, it’s part of the plot. Bad behaviors don’t seem so bad when they are flooded into the cable or satellite dish on a 24-hour basis. It is godly living and standing for the truth that really gets the good laughs.

VI. Follow worldly philosophies

A. Let pithy sayings, suppositions, and “accepted knowledge” guide your thoughts instead of clear reasoned arguments.

B. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

C. It is the arguments of the word of God that can peel through the transparent knowledge and empty philosophy of the world. To feel more comfortable about sin it should be avoided.

D. Convince yourself that it doesn’t really matter what you believe.

E. You will need to ignore passages like 1 Timothy 1:5-7.2 Timothy 4:2-5 – A preacher that will tickle your ear will help.

F. Succumb to all worldly habits since you can’t fight them.

G. 1 Corinthians 9:27 – Paul disciplined himself to be under Christ. Romans 6:12-14 – Christians are not to let sin reign in our lives.

H. Focus on yourself.

I. Philippians 2:5-7 – Christians are to have the mind of ChristA Christian without Christ is nothing.

J. Be impressed with worldly things.

K. 2 Peter 3:10-11 – Of course all things will eventually be destroyed.1 Corinthians 2:1-5 – Worldly wisdom will always impress the worldly-minded more than the simple gospel of Christ.

VII. Don’t clutter your mind with spiritual things.

A. If you are not thinking spiritually, you won’t have to be concerned whether an action is wrong or right.

B. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 – “Peace and safety.”

C. Spiritual thoughts can cloud the mind and perhaps cause your conscience to hurt if you are committing sin.

VIII. Why we should not feel comfortable about sin.

A. We are never to feel comfortable about sin.

B. We will be judged for all that we do or think.

C. Revelation 20:12-13 Hebrews 4:12-13 The punishment for sin is eternal death.

D. Sin brings us down.

E. We become less like Christ and more like the world. It cheapens our life for we can never be all that we should be, and do great things for the cause of Christ if sin rules in our lives.

F. Peace, joy, and contentment are only found in Christ. The devil can promise it through pleasures, possessions, and prestige, but he can never deliver.